‘Travel.Enjoy.Respect’ campaign launched by UNWTO 2017 is International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development

Within the framework of International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, 2017, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has launched a consumer-oriented campaign aiming at raising awareness of the value and contribution that sustainable tourism can make towards development. The ‘Travel.Enjoy.Respect’ campaign wants to engage tourists in making the sector a catalyst for positive change.

The key message of the campaign is summarised by the UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai: “Whenever you travel, wherever you travel, remember to: respect nature, respect culture, and respect your host. You can be the change you want to see in the world. You can be an ambassador for a better future. Travel, enjoy and respect.”

The campaign, that will run in various languages and outlets around the world, includes a manual of ‘Tips for a Responsible Traveller’, developed by the World Committee on Tourism Ethics in line with the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism. The manual provides travellers with a set of recommendations to help them make responsible choices when travelling and have a positive impact on the destinations they visit.

“Today more than ever, ensuring that tourism is an enriching experience for visitors and hosts alike demands strong, sustainable tourism policies and practices and the engagement of national, as well as local, governments and administrations, private sector companies, local communities and tourists themselves,” added Rifai.

Destinations and companies from around the world are invited to join the campaign and celebrate the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development with a commitment from the sector to ‘Travel.Enjoy.Respect’.

The International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017 was launched at FITUR in Madrid, the international tourism fair of Spain, to celebrate global actions aimed at advancing sustainable tourism contribution to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

“Every day, more than three million tourists cross international borders. Every year, almost 1.2 billion people travel abroad. Tourism has become a pillar of economies, a passport to prosperity, and a transformative force for improving millions of lives. The world can and must harness the power of tourism as we strive to carry out the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” said United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, in his message on the occasion of the International Year.